SAMANTHA PANGRAZIO
STAFF WRITER
Historic talks between Taiwan and China
Taiwanese President Ma Yingjeou and Chinese President Xi Jinping held the first talk between their governments in more than 60 years, according to the BBC. The presidents shook hands with each other, a gesture that was symbolic of the easing relationship between the two parties. Historically, China viewed Taiwan as its territory, but Taiwan claimed to be independent from China. The talks did not discuss major issues on the line but instead served as opening dialogue between two sides that split in the 1949 civil war.
For further reading: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34742680
Black box recordings reportedly reveal explosion from downed Russian plane
Black box recordings were found from the Russian passenger plane that crashed on its way back from Egypt on Oct. 31. Sky News reported that they “distinctly show the sound of an explosion during the flight.” This comes as American officials revealed it was possible that a bomb on board was responsible for the crash. Currently, all flights from Russia to Egypt are suspended until investigations are complete. However, Egypt and Russia have repeatedly dismissed suggestions from the U.S. and Britain that the crash was a terror attack, stated Fox News.
For further reading: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/07/explosion-reportedly-heard-on-black-box-doomed-russian-passenger-plane/?intcmp=trending
Sierra Leone declared free of Ebola
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the country of Sierra Leone free of Ebola after 42 days without any cases of the disease. According to the BBC, the outbreak of the disease killed almost 4,000 people in the country alone over the past 18 months. Overall, the outbreak claimed the lives of 11,314, including one in the U.S. Thousands of people took to the streets of Sierra Leone’s capital at the stroke of midnight to celebrate and offer silent remembrance for all the lives lost.
For further reading: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34755170